Monthly Archives: June 2014

Ha Long Bay has become one of the most well-known travel destinations in Northern Vietnam. There are several options for those who wish to explore the famous Ha Long Bay, of which going on a cruise tour around the bay offers the most convenient way to fully take in its magnificent natural beauty, including the limestone mountains, the caves, the islands and everything else present in between the tranquil waters.
A summer with blue oceans and white sandy beaches would not be complete without some outdoor activities. That is why these days most cruise operators offer a wide range of recreational activities so cruise passengers, especially the young ones, could be active during the trips and enjoy all the healthy excursions.
Below are several of the most popular recreational activities in Ha Long Bay:

Kayakingcould be taken as one of the must-try experiences in Ha Long Bay. Rowing the kayak on the tranquil waters and go discovering the natural caves which can’t be accessed by the big ships is a great experience to behold. Cruisers often provide free kayak for passengers onboard; however, it would be a good idea to book the kayak in advance in case their supply is limited.

What is a summer vacation without swimming right? The cruise itineraries usually include a stop at a beach for a few hours. Or, when your ship anchors, you could always jump right into the open ocean for a swim.

Biking activity is often included in three day cruise itineraries (for example: the Au Co cruise or the Bhaya 3 day cruise) or itineraries that visit Cat Ba Island. On the biking path, passengers will have the chance to look at the rugged natural scenery of Cat Ba, enjoy the refreshing air and visit Cat Ba National Park with a great variety of plant and animal species.

From June to September 2014, Bhaya Cruises is excited to run a very special summer promotion which extends families the opportunity to travel in style with its’ new “Children Travel for Free”.

This opportunity can be applied on all products within the Bhaya Cruises group–The Legend, The Au Co, and The Classic. For each cabin booked by parents, one cabin is then given for their children. Condition do apply; for inbound market only and a maximum of 2 children under the age of 12 travelling with 2 adults.

In 2007, the Bhaya Classic was known as a revolution for her time, with an innovative design and unique concept never before seen in Halong Bay (www.bhayacruises.com). Anticipating new needs for travellers, the group decided to launch 2 new products, first in 2009 and again in 2012; the Legend (www.legendhalong.com), a fleet of 8 small private charters, and the latter, The Au Co (www.aucocruises.com), the first and only ship to cruise continuously for 2 nights in the whole Gulf of Tonkin.

“Bhaya Cruises group is the largest luxury cruise operator in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, with 14 ships,more than 300 staff, and a total of 180 cabins for overnight guests. We are known as the largest cruise operator in Ha Long Bay as we operate 180 cabins and accommodate up to 5,000 passengers each month. We have also received multiple Certificates of Excellence – Trip Advisor from 2010 to 2014” Armand Cheveux, Business Development Manager of Bhaya Cruises.

From countless street food stalls, millions of rushing motorbikes and French-colonial buildings to high mountainous regions, overlapping paddy fields, and amazing landscapes, Northern Vietnam is surely one of the country’s top destinations in terms of tourism and cultural immersion. Places such as Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Tam Dao and Dien Bien Phu are just some of the cities you may want to see here.

Tam Dao – National Park

So when exactly is the best time to visit Northern Vietnam?

The Traditional Highlands: Sa Pa

Generally, the best time to visit this region is from October to December (Autumn-Early Winter Season). This season is the golden time for the region as the sky is clear and the wind is gentle. The temperature between these seasons usually plays around 20 degrees on average. And as December approaches, the temperature drops rapidly for the start of winter.

Ha Long Bay

Managing your time well while travelling across the northern region during this season shouldn’t be that hard as the touristy season ends in August. Booking trips from one place to another should be easier as well as there are only a few people traveling at this time of the year.

Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site is definitely a cannot-miss destination when visiting Northern Vietnam. Located about 170 kilometers east of Hanoi, it takes around 4 hour drive to get to Halong bay from the capital city. There are several transport options for those going to Halong bay from Hanoi.

1. Shuttle Buses & Transfers

This is the most popular way of traveling between Hanoi and Ha Long Bay for tourists, especially foreigners. All cruise operators & travel agents offer shuttle buses from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and back for their guests, usually for an extra fee. You can either come to the pick-up points to wait for the buses or arrange with the agents to be picked up at your hotels. This could be considered as the most convenient and hassle-free way of transportation to Ha Long Bay for travelers.

Traveling across Ha Long Bay by cruise is probably the best way to enjoy the World Heritage Site, having both the spectacular views from the cruise as well as the various recreational activities offered during the trip (swimming, kayaking, and biking). With a large number of operators, from Ha Long luxury cruises to the budget ones available, it is important that travelers choose one with outstanding service quality to make the best value for their money. A few leading names in the area includes The Au Co Cruises, Bhaya Classic Cruises, & Legend Halong Charter Cruises.

2. Private Cars

Another way to commute between Hanoi and Ha Long Bay is to hire a private car with your own driver. The advantage of choosing this option is that you can decide your own time of traveling. This is ideal for those who plan to take a half-day cruise trip around Ha Long Bay only. In case you stay in Ha Long for the night on shore, having a car at your convenience would make it much easier to go from places to places and enjoy the night life there.

However, this option is more costly than the others and not ideal for those wishing to go on a night cruise trip in Ha Long Bay. If you plan to spend at least one night floating on the tranquil waters of the bay, option 1 is recommended.

3. Public Transportation

Consider this option only if you surely want to try traveling amongst with the locals and are ready to embrace the experience whether it is good or not-so-great one. Firstly, you need to go to the shuttle bus station from your hotel. This could be done by public bus, “xe om” (motorbike taxi) or by taxi (recommended for those with big luggage). Luong Yen Station has the most buses commuting to & from Hanoi – Ha Long. Then, go to the station ticket booth and buy tickets for your destination. Make sure you ask them the plate number of the bus that’s leaving soonest. It usually takes more time to arrive in Ha Long than the other options as occasional stops are done to get more passengers along the way.